Pontville School has been rated “outstanding” for the overall quality of its education and its residential provision.
 
The report highlights the school as being “particularly successful in improving pupils’ communications skills, increasing their self-esteem and confidence as well as preparing them for adult life.”
 
Inspectors also pointed to the “overwhelmingly supportive” questionnaires received from parents including the following typical comment, “School life for our son before going to Pontville was so emotionally hard and stressful. He is now a much calmer and centred young person due to Pontville’s effect on him. We are absolutely overwhelmed by what a wonderful school it is.”
 
In 2009, the school achieved a 100% pass rate for GCSE exams, with some pupils gaining seven, which the report says is due to the “outstanding curriculum and outstanding teaching and assessment.”
 
Iain Sim, headteacher at Pontville School, said: “Everyone has worked tremendously hard to ensure we are delivering the very highest quality education for our pupils. Such “outstanding” results can only be achieved as a result of the dedication and commitment shown by all of my staff.  This acknowledgement is well deserved and I am confident these standards will be maintained and where possible improved even further.”
 
Jim Bowers from The Witherslack Group, said: “It is well deserved and reinforces the confidence and trust by parents and local authorities in entrusting their children’s education and care to Pontville School.”